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Decision on OPS, other guarantees after cabinet expansion, says Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
The Congress returned to power in Himachal Pradesh after winning 40 seats in the 68-member house in the assembly elections held on November 12.
In front of a jam-packed venue, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu took oath as the 15th CM of Himachal Pradesh. Thousands of Congress supporters from the nearby districts converged at the Ridge Ground of Shimla town to witness the historic moment while Sukhu’s family, including his 85-year-old mother, wife and daughters flew from Nadaun to attend the ceremony.
The Congress returned to power in Himachal Pradesh after winning 40 seats in the 68-member house in the assembly elections held on November 12.
Adorning green caps, several Congress supporters danced to the tunes of traditional musical instruments and performed Natti (Himachal’s famous folk dance).
Meanwhile, Sukhu, accompanied by his deputy Agnihotri and other Congress leaders, received his mother Sansari Devi, at the Sanjauli helipad.
Speaking to the media Sukhu’s mother said that her son has always been a “sewadar” and he would continue to serve the people of the state.
The newly appointed CM’s wife Kamlesh Kumari said: “I am thankful to the people of the state. We will continue to support him so that he fulfils all the promises he has made.”
Talking to the media after the swearing-in ceremony, Sukhu said that after the expansion of the cabinet all issues related to the state’s development will be discussed.
“The government will also decide on the implementation of the guarantee schemes announced by Congress in the first cabinet and their modalities,” he said.
Sukhu said that being a common man he knows the problems faced by people, and how to solve them.
“We first need to know the bottlenecks, then formulate schemes, and finally execute them. For good government, we need good governance, so we would first understand the administrative responsibilities,” he said.
Sukhu said he was committed to giving honest and transparent government.
On the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Sukhu said the decision would be taken in the first cabinet meeting and we would finalise the framework by consulting officers and employees.
Interacting with the media, Agnihotri said that the government would work in full coordination.
Calling himself and Sukhu the “Jodi Number 1”, Agnihotri said, “When Sukhu was state party president, I was a minister in the government and we have worked together for a long.” He said that the government will fulfil all the promises made to the people of the state.
“People have reposed faith in us, and we will not let them down and would make all efforts to live up to their expectations,” he said.
Priyanka, Kharge dedicate the win to people of state
Priyanka Gandhi said that she was very happy with the results of the Himachal elections. The people here have reposed faith in the Congress. Now the new government will work to fulfil the promises made by the party. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also dedicated the victory in the elections to the people of Himachal.
“This is a victory that belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh. This is an example of what happens when the Congress party fights united,” Kharge said.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said this was a new beginning for the Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh.
“Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation, and unemployment, will become stronger from Himachal,” he said.
Former Rajasthan state Congress president Sachin Pilot said that he believes that Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led government will be able to deliver all the promises made by Congress to the people of the state. “We all will work together for the development of the state,” Pilot said.
